Wireless telecommunication device and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

A wireless telecommunication device including a foreground unit, and a background unit that is physically separated from the foreground unit and in local communication with the foreground unit. The foreground unit is provided to support incoming calls independently of the background unit. Furthermore, the foreground unit and the background unit cooperate to support outgoing calls. The scope of the invention also includes a method for doing business by offering the foreground unit for sale in a packaging having a form factor selected from the group consisting of a pen, a pen cap, a wristwatch, and a necklace.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/695,124, filed Jun. 30, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of wirelesstelecommunication devices. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to small size cellular phones designed for independentlyreceiving and responding to incoming calls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While components of modern cellular phones are designed to be very smallin size, commercial handsets are not provided in the smallest possibleform factor because of human engineering considerations. There is alower limit, dictated by human physiognomy, on the sizes of componentslike a screen and a keypad.

Existing cellular phones known in the art are designed as an integrateddevice for supporting both incoming and outgoing calls.

As the prior art cellular phones are designed to support both incomingand outgoing calls, they have to include a keypad and a display, whichconsume a lot of “real estate” and are not at all essential forsupporting only incoming calls. Configuring these components in anordinary cellular phone makes it too heavy and large in size to beconveniently worn within a necklace, clipped on a T-shirt, etc.

However, there are many situations where a user needs to immediatelyrespond to some incoming calls, but does not need to initiate outgoingcalls with the same urgency. Such situations are typical toprofessionals on duty (such as medical doctors, police officers etc.)and to anyone while engaged in sporting activities (such as jogging,riding bicycles, etc.).

Users require different needs and expectations when handling incomingcalls and outgoing calls. Some of the major differences are highlightedin the following table:

Aspect Incoming call Outgoing call Required response time to a stimulus1-3 seconds Minutes Need to see a screen No Yes Need to divert a call toanother party Yes No Number of clicks for the operation   1 Many Abilityto batch for later execution No Yes Need to be reminded to execute NoYes Cost of operation to user ~0 Some Need background information No YesNeed to repeat on failure (busy) No Yes

Hence, there is a major difference between the minimum sizes of acellular phone designed to support incoming calls only, and a cellularphone designed to support both incoming and outgoing calls.

A known in the art technique is a pager, i.e. an electronic device usedto contact people via a paging network. A pager pre-dates mobile phonetechnology, but similarly uses radio transmissions to communicatebetween a control/call center and a recipient. Pager models in use todayuse digital messages, first numeric and later alphanumeric, to providethe recipient with more information. Such pagers include the ability tosend messages in a two-way fashion and even include the ability to sendan email. This is known as two-way paging.

However, the pager devices used today require the paged party (i.e.recipient) to phone the control/call centre in order to collect themessage either from a cellular telephony network an operator or avoice-mail device.

Another existing technique for small size telephone device is to use aBluetooth transponder (i.e. a phone that is based on Bluetoothtechnology) having a base unit associating to one or more handsets.

However, such an ordinary sized phone Bluetooth transponder is limitedto supporting a base unit located only few meters away and can not servethe need described above.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a cellular phone having aminimum size foreground unit and a background unit, physically separatedfrom the foreground unit and in local communication with the foregroundunit, wherein said foreground unit supports incoming calls independentlyof the background unit, and wherein the foreground unit and thebackground unit cooperate to support outgoing calls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toovercome the disadvantages of prior art techniques by introducing acellular phone having a foreground unit and a background unit that canbe physically separated from the foreground unit and can be in localcommunication with the foreground unit. The foreground unit isimplemented to support incoming calls independently of the backgroundunit. The foreground unit and the background unit cooperate to supportoutgoing calls.

The foreground unit is implemented for supporting incoming callsindependently of the background unit, whereas the implementation of thebackground unit enables the foreground unit to substantially support allthe functionalities of a standard cellular phone configuration.

The present invention is further not anticipated by Bluetooth phonesdescribed herein above. The handsets of existing Bluetooth phone are notconfigured to independently support incoming calls. In other words, thebase unit and the handsets of a Bluetooth phone must cooperate tosupport incoming calls.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wirelesstelecommunication device including: (a) a foreground unit; and (b) abackground unit, physically separated from the foreground unit and inlocal communication with the foreground, wherein the foreground unitsupports incoming calls independently of the background unit, andwherein the foreground unit and the background unit cooperate to supportoutgoing calls.

Preferably, the foreground unit may be packaged in a form factor, suchas a pen, a pen cap, a wristwatch, a necklace, etc.

Preferably, the foreground unit initiates the outgoing calls in responseto non verbal dialing commands received from the background unit via thelocal communication.

Preferably, the foreground unit includes a user interface for setting amode of operation of the foreground unit.

Preferably, the background unit, cooperatively with the foreground unit,substantially provides standard cellular telephony services such asinitiating outgoing calls, receiving incoming calls, SMS for textmessaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, MMS for sendingand receiving photos and video, updating meetings in a calendar,recording memos, etc.

The local communication is wireless radio frequency communication.Alternatively, the local communication is wireless infra-redcommunication. Alternatively, the local communication is wiredcommunication.

Preferably, the foreground unit lacks a keypad.

Preferably, the foreground unit lacks an alphanumeric or a graphicdisplay.

Preferably, the background unit lacks a SIM card.

Preferably, the background unit lacks a cellular antenna.

Preferably, the background unit lacks a microphone.

Preferably, the background unit lacks a speaker.

In accordance with the present invention, there is further provided amethod for doing business including the steps of: (a) providing awireless telecommunication device that includes: (i) a foreground unit;and (ii) a background unit, physically separated from the foregroundunit and in local communication with the foreground unit, wherein theforeground unit supports incoming calls independently of the backgroundunit, and wherein the foreground unit and the background unit cooperateto support outgoing calls; and (b) offering the foreground unit for salein a packaging having a form factor such as a pen, a pen-cap, awristwatch, a necklace, etc.

Preferably, the background unit, cooperatively with the foreground unit,substantially provides standard cellular telephony services such asinitiating outgoing calls, receiving incoming calls, SMS for textmessaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, MMS for sendingand receiving photos and video, updating a meeting in a calendar,recording memos, etc.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to theembodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, inwhich like numerals designate corresponding sections or elementsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a foreground unit of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a background unit of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 shows the foreground unit of FIG. 1 designed with a form factorof a pen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses an innovative wireless telecommunicationdevice and method including a foreground unit and a background unit thatis physically separated from the foreground unit and in localcommunication with the foreground unit. The foreground unit isimplemented to support incoming calls independently of the backgroundunit. The foreground unit and the background unit of the presentinvention cooperate to support outgoing calls.

The foreground unit enables a user to independently support incomingcalls and is designed very small in dimensions, thus enabling packagingwithin a form factor of a pen, a pen-cap, a wrist watch, a necklace,etc. The foreground unit is further responsive to non-verbal commandscommunicated from the background unit for dialing outgoing calls. Theforeground unit carries out a specific outgoing call in response to acorresponding non-verbal command. The corresponding non-verbal commanduniquely determines which outgoing call to dial, either directly orindirectly. The corresponding non-verbal command may be, for example, adesignated number to be dialed or a person's name.

The foreground unit of the present invention includes a cellulartelephony antenna, a transceiver, a radio subsystem, an audio amplifier,a speaker, a microphone, means for communicating with the backgroundunit, a SIM card, and a minimum-size battery to be recharged from thebackground unit when plugged into the background unit.

Preferably, the user can initiate outgoing calls using only theforeground unit by way of responding to recent incoming calls, by usingvoice dialing, by pre-scheduling calls in the background unit anduploading the calls later into the foreground unit as a batch file.Hence, due to the fact that the foreground unit does not contain a fullnumeric keypad and a display, this unit is designed to be very small indimensions thus enabling packaging within a form factor of a pen, a pencap, a wrist watch, a necklace, etc. Furthermore, clue to the fact thatthe user will be typically be, using the foreground unit remote from thebackground unit only for short periods of time, the battery is aminimum-size battery supporting only a few hours of operation.

For initiating outgoing calls in cooperation with the foreground unit,the background unit includes components such as a keyboard, a display, amemory, means for wired or wireless communication with the foregroundunit, and a battery. This battery is provided also for recharging theminimum-size battery of the foreground when the foreground unit and thebackground unit are plugged into each other. Due to the fact that thebackground unit does not need to be handy to the user at all times, itcan be designed in a convenient form-factor for use with both hands, forpositioning on a desk or on the lap of the user, etc.

Although the basic background unit of the present invention lacks amicrophone and a speaker, a microphone and/or a speaker optionally canbe further implemented in the background unit providing betterperformance.

The background unit, cooperatively with the foreground unit,substantially supports standard cellular telephony services, such asinitiating outgoing calls, receiving incoming calls, SMS for textmessaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, MMS for sendingand receiving photos and video, updating a meeting in a calendar,recording memos, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a foregroundunit 10 of the present invention. The foreground unit 10 is provided forsupporting incoming and outgoing calls and includes a CPU and memoryunit 12 connected to a removable memory card 14 (e.g. SIM card). Theremovable memory card 14 enables to independently connect to a cellulartelephony network via data specific to the user.

The CPU and memory unit 12 is further connected to an Audio circuit 16(e.g. amplifying card), provided to support the audio functions of theforeground unit. Audio circuit 16 is connected to a microphone 18 and aspeaker 20, which are essential for enabling the user to receive theincoming call and to respond to it accordingly.

The CPU and memory unit 12 is further connected to a cellular radio set22 for carrying out telecommunication functions of the foreground unit.The cellular radio set 22 is connected to a cellular antenna 24 fortransmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals.

The CPU and memory unit 12 is further connected to an intercom radio set26 and to an intercom antenna 28 for wireless communication with thebackground unit 40 (see FIG. 2). This wireless communications is forexample Bluetooth, wireless infra-red communication, UWB (Ultra WideBand) communication, or other radio-frequency communication. The usercan respond to incoming calls without any support of the backgroundunit. For outgoing calls, the foreground unit 10 is responsive tonon-verbal dialing commands (typically a number to be dialed) receivedfrom the background unit 40 via the intercom antenna 28. A specificnon-verbal dialing command uniquely determines which outgoing call todial.

Alternatively, the communication between the foreground and backgroundunits is a wired communication, whereby the foreground unit is pluggedinto the background unit, to become an integral, fully functional mobilehandset.

The foreground unit 10 provides the wireless telecommunication inresponse to manipulating a user interface. According to the preferredembodiment, the user interface is configured as two control keys 34 and36. Manipulating these two control keys 34 and 36 operates theforeground unit 10 as follows:

In case foreground unit 10 is in idle mode, then pressing key 34 onceredials the number of the last incoming call, while double-clicking onkey 36 sets the foreground unit to operate a specific functionality, asfollows:

Re-pressing key 36 may set foreground unit 10 to respond to nextoutgoing call in the queue of outgoing calls (this queue can be createdand controlled by the background unit 40 (see FIG. 2). Each outgoingcall in the queue can include a dialing number and a short voicereminder providing the user information on the specific outgoing call.Typical voice reminders are—“call George to cancel tomorrow'sbreakfast”, “call Delta to reserve flight to Chicago”, or “returnBernard's call”, etc.

Optionally, re-pressing key 36 sets foreground unit 10 to start/stoprecording. Such setting may be employed for using the foreground unit asa digital tape recorder.

Optionally, re-pressing key 36 sets foreground unit 10 on a callerfilter on/off mode. Activating or deactivating the incoming call filtermay be employed, for example, to selectively receive incoming calls.

Optionally, re-pressing key 36 sets foreground unit 10 on activate voicedialing—for activating and deactivating a voice dialing module, suchthat an outgoing call is initiated only by pronunciation of the requiredphone number or person's name.

In case foreground unit 10 is ringing (using audio circuit 16 andspeaker 20), then pressing key 34, for example, initiates the incomingcall, while pressing key 36, for example, rejects the incoming call.

In case an incoming call has begun, then pressing key 34 terminates theincoming call, while pressing key 36 toggles (starts/stops) recording ofthe incoming call.

The foreground unit 10 provides an audio feedback indicating thespecific functionality in which foreground unit 10 is currently set tooperate in. In one preferred embodiment, a visual indication by a coupleof light emitting diodes serves as an alternative indication of themode.

Although the preferred embodiment of foreground unit 10 of the presentinvention described above uses two keys, any convenient number of keysmay be provided for supporting the functionalities described herein.

The foreground unit 10 further includes a battery 30 as means forproviding power and a port 32, such as a standard USB port or a USB portwith extra pins, for charging the foreground unit 10 and for providing awired connection to the background unit 40 when the foreground unit 10is not in use remotely.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of a background unit40 of the present invention. Background unit 40 includes the standardcomponents of a cellular phone, most of which can be found in anydigital cellular phone, which are not provided in the foreground unit.

Background unit 40 includes a CPU and memory unit 42 connected to aNumeric Keypad 44. The Numeric Keypad 44 is provided in the backgroundunit for dialing outgoing calls as well as for typing emails and othertext messages.

Numeric Keypad 44 is further connected to a Display 46, which isprovided for displaying the number of the initiated outgoing call aswell as messages transmitted from the CPU.

CPU and memory unit 42 is further connected to a local communicationsystem (such as a Bluetooth radio communication system) including anIntercom radio 50 and an Intercom antenna 52 for wirelesslycommunicating with the foreground unit 10 (see FIG. 1).

In one preferred embodiment, the CPU and memory unit 42 is connected tothe removable memory card 14 (see FIG. 1) for conveniently storing theuser's data.

Background unit 40 includes a battery 54 for power and a USB port 56providing a wired connection to other computing devices, such as theforeground unit 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown the foreground unit 10 of FIG. 1designed with a form factor of a pen. Foreground unit 10 includes anelectrical circuit of the CPU and memory unit 12 and the Audio unit 16(of FIG. 1). The foreground unit 10 further includes the SIM card 14,two control keys 34, 36, the speaker 20, the microphone 18, the intercomradio set 26 and cellular radio set 22, the USB port 32, the cellularantenna 24, and the battery 30. These units are compactly andconveniently embedded in this example within a form factor of a pen.

Although the background unit is illustrated as lacking a microphone, itoptionally may have a duplicate microphone for better performance ormore convenient location than the foreground microphone.

Preferably, the background unit lacks a speaker. Optionally, thebackground unit may have a duplicate speaker for better performance ormore convenient location than the foreground speaker.

It can be understood that other implementations and designs are possiblewithin the scope of the invention, thus relating to any wirelesstelecommunication device and method having a minimum size foregroundunit and a background unit, physically separated from the foregroundunit and in local communication with the foreground unit, wherein saidforeground unit supports incoming calls independently of the backgroundunit, and wherein the foreground unit and the background unit cooperateto support outgoing calls, such that the background unit includes onlythe components that are required to enable the foreground unit suchfunctionalities.

Having described the invention with regard to certain specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is notmeant as a limitation, since further modifications will now suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover suchmodifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A cellular telecommunication device operative toreceiving incoming calls and having the form factor of a pen,comprising: an elongated pen body comprising: a battery for supplyingpower to the device; a central processing unit (CPU); a subscriberidentification module (SIM) in communication with said CPU; audiocircuitry in communication with said CPU; a speaker coupled with saidaudio circuitry; and a microphone coupled with said audio circuitry; apen button at the top of said pen body, comprising a control key forcausing the device to accept an incoming call arriving from a remotephone; and a pen clip comprising a cellular antenna coupled with saidaudio circuitry, for transmitting signals to the remote phone andreceiving signals from the remote phone, while the incoming call isoccurring.
 18. The cellular telecommunication device of claim 17,wherein the control key causes the device to terminate an incoming callthat was accepted, while the incoming call is occurring.
 19. Thecellular telecommunication device of claim 17, wherein the control keycauses the device to dial a phone number of the remote phone that madethe most recent incoming call, when no call is incoming.
 20. Thecellular telecommunication device of claim 17 comprising a memory unit,and wherein said pen button comprises an additional control key forcausing the device to start and stop recording of the incoming call insaid memory unit, while the incoming call is occurring.
 21. The cellulartelecommunication device of claim 20, wherein said memory unit stores alist of phone numbers for outgoing calls, and wherein said additionalcontrol key causes the device to dial a next outgoing phone number inthe list, when no incoming call is occurring.
 22. The cellulartelecommunication device of claim 20, wherein said memory unit storescall filter data for selectively receiving incoming calls, and whereinsaid additional control key causes the device to filter incoming callsin accordance with the call filter data.
 23. The cellulartelecommunication device of claim 20, wherein said additional controlkey causes the device to reject an incoming call.
 24. The cellulartelecommunication device of claim 20, wherein said memory unit stores acontact list, and wherein said additional control key causes the deviceto dial the phone number of a contact in the list in response to voiceinput with the name of the contact.
 25. The cellular telecommunicationdevice of claim 20, wherein said additional control key causes thedevice to dial a phone number in response to voice input of the numbersin the phone number.
 26. The cellular telecommunication device of claim17, further comprising a port for charging said battery.
 27. Thecellular telecommunication device of claim 17, wherein the device doesnot comprise a display.
 28. The cellular telecommunication device ofclaim 17, wherein the device does not comprise a numerical keypad.